10 Best Internships in New Zealand for International Students (2026–2027)
SENTPO | CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Explore internship pathways, check who qualifies, and learn how to apply from India or overseas.
New Zealand offers professional experience in technology, engineering, research, business, finance and public services. However, international applicants need to look beyond the job title: some employers accept candidates educated overseas, while others recruit only people who already have permission to work in New Zealand.
This guide highlights ten employers and internship-search options, with practical details on qualifications, recruitment procedures and immigration requirements.
Start with these checks
- Check the vacancy: Confirm that applications are still being accepted.
- Check your eligibility: Read the academic and work-right requirements.
- Check the visa: An internship offer does not automatically permit you to work in New Zealand.
- Check the cost: Calculate travel, accommodation, insurance and other expenses.
10 Internship Opportunities to Explore
1. PwC New Zealand — Summer Internship
Fields: Audit, assurance and eligible professional services.
PwC’s summer programme gives students experience working with professional teams and supporting client assignments. The usual placement period runs from November to February.
Eligibility:
- Students in the penultimate year of a degree-level qualification.
- Availability for the full-time internship period.
- Compliance with the programme’s immigration and future work requirements.
For international students: PwC restricts eligible international applicants to qualifying roles, including certain Tier 1 Green List occupations. Its published criteria include eligibility for a three-year post-study work visa and no requirement for future sponsorship. Students studying only in India should not assume they qualify.
How to apply: Review the live vacancies, identify an eligible role, prepare your CV and academic information, and complete the application process described by PwC.
Status note: The official page reports applications open. Check the individual vacancy before applying.
View PwC Vacancies →2. Deloitte New Zealand — Summer Internships
Fields: Audit, finance, business and technology-related teams, depending on the available roles.
Deloitte’s summer internships offer students the chance to develop professional skills, contribute to team projects and learn about client work.
Eligibility:
- Students whose degree and study year meet the selected role’s criteria.
- Candidates available for the programme’s full duration.
- Applicants who have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
For international students: Deloitte states that its summer internships are open to students who have New Zealand work rights. The programme is especially suited to students studying in New Zealand or Australia. Visa sponsorship should not be assumed.
How to apply: Select a relevant vacancy, review its requirements, submit your CV and cover letter, and complete any video, online or in-person assessments requested.
The official careers page lists the 2026 internship intake. Confirm that the selected vacancy remains available.
View Deloitte Student Recruitment →3. EY New Zealand — Student Programmes
Fields: Audit, tax, consulting and professional services.
EY’s student programmes help eligible candidates develop workplace skills and understand professional-services careers.
Eligibility: Requirements vary by programme, but EY’s published international-student criteria require applicants to reside in New Zealand, study on-site towards a qualifying degree-level qualification or higher at a New Zealand university, and have the specified three-year post-study work visa at the time of joining.
Important for applicants from India: Students who have not studied in New Zealand should not treat this programme as a direct overseas internship route.
How to apply: Select New Zealand on the official student careers website, review the available programmes and confirm that you meet the academic and immigration requirements.
View EY Eligibility and Applications →4. Kami — Technology Internship
Fields: Software development, digital products and technology.
Kami is an education technology company. Its internship programme provides exposure to product development and practical technology work.
Eligibility: The published 2026 programme requires full-time New Zealand work rights, availability from November to February, and enrolment in a relevant degree or graduation within the previous 12 months.
Application process: The published process includes a résumé submission, a video introduction, a skills assessment and a final interview with team leaders.
The programme page does not establish that applications remain open on the date of publication. Confirm the next intake directly with Kami.
View Kami Internship Details →5. Motu Research — Economics and Research Internships
Fields: Economics, mathematics, statistics, geography and related research disciplines.
Motu Research offers paid research internships that typically run for eight to twelve weeks during the November–February period. These placements are suited to academically strong candidates interested in research and postgraduate study.
Eligibility:
- A strong background in economics, mathematics, statistics, geography or a related field.
- Demonstrated interest in research.
- Academic information that allows the organisation to assess your performance.
International applicants: Motu welcomes applications from candidates who completed some or all of their tertiary education overseas. This makes it worth investigating for Indian graduates and students, but it does not guarantee visa sponsorship or a current opening.
How to apply: Review the research requirements, provide your transcript and explain your university’s grading system. Include relevant coursework, research projects and quantitative skills.
Explore Motu Research Internships →6. Tonkin + Taylor — Engineering and Environmental Roles
Fields: Civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental science, water and sustainability.
Tonkin + Taylor works on engineering and environmental projects. Its internship programme is worth exploring for candidates pursuing relevant technical qualifications.
Eligibility: Academic specialisation, year of study and work-right requirements depend on the programme. Review the official eligibility rules before applying, particularly if you need temporary visa support.
How to apply: Search the employer’s careers page, match your academic background to a relevant position, prepare your CV and project examples, and submit the requested documents.
View Tonkin + Taylor Careers →7. Baker Hughes — Engineering and Technology
Fields: Mechanical engineering, industrial technology and technical analysis, depending on the vacancy.
Baker Hughes recruits for energy technology and engineering roles across multiple locations. Candidates interested in industrial and mechanical engineering can search its official careers portal for suitable student opportunities.
Eligibility: Degree requirements, work location and sponsorship conditions are vacancy-specific. Do not assume that an engineering internship advertised internationally is based in New Zealand.
How to apply: Filter the careers portal for New Zealand and student or internship roles. Check the exact location, application deadline, technical requirements and work-authorisation policy before submitting your application.
Search Baker Hughes Careers →8. Summer of Tech — Technology Placements
Fields: Software development, IT, web development, data and digital products.
Summer of Tech connects emerging technology talent with participating employers. It is a useful channel for discovering multiple opportunities rather than searching company websites one by one.
Eligibility: The requirements vary by employer. Some placements are designed for students in New Zealand, and some require existing local work rights.
How to apply: Review the current programme, prepare a technical CV and portfolio, register or apply as instructed, and complete any skills tests or interviews.
Applicants living in India should confirm whether an employer accepts overseas candidates before investing time in the application.
Explore Summer of Tech →9. Prosple — Internship Search Platform
Fields: Business, accounting, finance, engineering, technology, marketing and other professional disciplines.
Prosple aggregates internships and graduate opportunities from multiple employers, making it useful for comparing roles by discipline and location.
Eligibility: Each employer sets its own conditions. Listings may require a specific degree, local university enrolment, existing work rights or other qualifications.
How to apply: Filter by subject and location, open the original employer advertisement, check the deadline and immigration conditions, then follow the employer’s application instructions.
Prosple is a discovery platform, not a guarantee of a live vacancy or visa eligibility.
Search New Zealand Internships →10. New Zealand Internships — Placement Services
Fields: Business, marketing, finance, IT, tourism and other areas, depending on available placements.
This provider offers placement services for candidates seeking practical work experience in New Zealand. It may be useful for people who want assistance finding a host organisation.
Before applying:
- Ask whether candidates applying from India are accepted.
- Request the host organisation’s name and written placement details.
- Confirm whether the role is paid or unpaid.
- Obtain a breakdown of fees and refund conditions.
- Verify the visa requirements independently.
A placement service cannot guarantee a job, a paid position or visa approval merely because a candidate pays a fee.
Explore Placement Opportunities →Which Options Suit Applicants from India?
The right route depends on where you currently study, whether you already have work rights and whether the employer considers overseas candidates.
If you are studying in India
Prioritise vacancies that explicitly accept international applicants. Motu Research is worth investigating because it welcomes applications from candidates educated overseas, but you must still confirm current vacancies and immigration eligibility.
Many structured summer internships at major employers require local study or existing work rights. Read the restrictions before applying.
If you are already studying in New Zealand
Check your student visa conditions, permitted working hours and any restrictions on full-time placements. Your immigration status must permit the actual duties and hours of the internship.
If you have recently graduated
Look for programmes that accept recent graduates. Some employers require candidates to remain enrolled at university, while others accept graduates who completed their degree within a specified period.
Visa Requirements Before You Accept an Offer
Receiving an internship offer does not automatically give you permission to work in New Zealand. You must qualify for an immigration route that covers the proposed duties, dates and hours.
Student and Trainee Work Visa
This visa may be relevant to eligible students who need practical work experience related to their study or training.
Applicants undertaking practical training generally need evidence that the experience relates to their course, support from their education provider, a written work offer, sufficient funds or an acceptable sponsor, and compliance with other visa conditions.
The visa can permit practical work experience for up to six months for eligible student applicants, subject to the applicable rules and approval.
Read the official visa requirements →Student Visa Work Conditions
Some student visas allow employment under specific conditions. Check your own visa before accepting a placement, particularly when it requires full-time work or takes place during term time.
Check Immigration New Zealand →Post-Study Work Visa
Eligible graduates who complete qualifying study in New Zealand may be able to apply for a post-study work visa. Completing a degree in India does not automatically qualify you for this visa.
Check the official qualification and study requirements before relying on this option.
Review official immigration guidance →Protect yourself before making payments
- Verify the employer and written offer.
- Confirm the work location, duties, dates, hours and payment.
- Ask whether applicants based in India are eligible.
- Identify the visa route that permits the proposed work.
- Budget for flights, accommodation, insurance and living costs.
- Never rely on promises of guaranteed employment or visa approval.
How to Apply Successfully
Step 1 — Choose suitable roles
Match the internship to your qualification, skills, projects and career goals. Apply to positions where your background meets the stated requirements.
Step 2 — Confirm eligibility
Check the academic criteria, location, required availability and work rights. Contact the employer if its immigration policy is unclear.
Step 3 — Prepare your CV
Highlight education, projects, relevant work experience, technical skills and measurable achievements. Include a portfolio or GitHub profile when appropriate.
Step 4 — Write a tailored cover letter
Explain why the role interests you, how your background matches the requirements and what you can contribute. Avoid sending the same generic letter to every employer.
Step 5 — Gather supporting documents
- Updated CV and cover letter.
- Academic transcripts and proof of enrolment or graduation.
- Project portfolio or research samples, where relevant.
- References, if requested.
- Evidence of work eligibility, where required.
Step 6 — Submit through the official channel
Use the employer’s careers portal or the application method specified in the vacancy. Record the closing date and keep a copy of your submission.
Step 7 — Prepare for assessments
Practise explaining your academic projects, technical skills and career objectives. Some employers use video introductions, coding tests, online assessments or interviews.
Step 8 — Verify the offer
Review the written terms, remuneration and work conditions. Confirm that your visa permits the placement before arranging travel.
When Should You Start Applying?
New Zealand summer internships commonly take place between November and February. Large employers may recruit several months in advance, while other vacancies appear throughout the year.
Start preparing early, monitor official careers pages and allow time for visa processing. A programme page remaining online does not mean its application window is still open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are internships in New Zealand paid?
Some placements are paid, while others are unpaid or form part of academic training. Confirm remuneration and working conditions in the written offer.
Can I apply from India without studying in New Zealand?
Some organisations consider applicants educated overseas, but many structured internships require New Zealand study or existing work rights. Confirm the employer’s policy and your visa eligibility.
Does an internship guarantee a work visa?
No. An offer does not automatically grant permission to work. Visa approval depends on the applicable immigration requirements.
Can an internship lead to a permanent job?
It can provide useful experience and networking opportunities, but future employment is not guaranteed. You must also meet the immigration requirements for any subsequent job.
Is IELTS required for every internship?
No. Language requirements depend on the employer, programme and relevant immigration rules.
Can graduates apply?
Some programmes accept recent graduates; others require current university enrolment. Check the specific eligibility conditions.
Make an Informed Career Decision
Choose an internship for the experience it provides, its relevance to your career and your genuine eligibility. For candidates applying from India, checking work rights and visa requirements early can prevent wasted application costs and unrealistic travel plans.
Explore Opportunities with Sentpo
Find career guidance and international opportunities aligned with your education and professional goals.
Always verify vacancy status, eligibility and immigration rules with the official employer and relevant authorities.
Disclaimer: This article is for general career information and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Listing an employer or platform does not confirm a live vacancy, eligibility for all international applicants or visa sponsorship.
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